While his position has softened somewhat (e.g., more recently he claimed ““I think there is some connectivity. Some, something. It depends on how much” and that “I’m looking at it [the Paris Climate change agreement] very closely. I have an open mind to it”) it seems very unlikely that climate change will be a priority for his government.

The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes

He is an advocate of “peace through strength” and has said he will overturn cuts to military spending and will rebuild the USA’s “depleted military”. All this is in the context of advancing “America’s core national interest” and his promise to “make America great again!”

Given Trump’s reactive and aggressive response to many issues I’m scared that a military build-up makes war more likely.

3. His disregard for truth and facts

Trump clearly has little respect for truth and facts. Even though lying and ignoring inconvenient truths are standard operating procedures for world leaders, (which the media all too often fails to challenge), Trump is taking them to a whole new level.

Politifact’s Truth-O-Meter regularly analyses statements by American politicians. It has analysed 293 statements by Hilary Clinton, 596 by Barak Obama, and 347 by Donald Trump. They have found that 75% of both Clinton’s and Obama’s statements are essentially true, but only 31% of Trump’s. In fact over half of Trump’s statements have been found to be false or “Pants on Fire” compared to 12% for Clinton and 14% for Obama.

Western democracy relies heavily on accountability, and I doubt that Trump is going to be bothered by many of the traditions that help provide checks and balances. If nothing else, it’s going to be very hard to trust anything he says. His brazen disregard for anything that doesn’t suit him sends a shiver through my spine.

4. His reactive, unpredictable, vindictive responses

I expect leaders of such a powerful nation to make rational, calm decisions. I know many leaders already fail this test, but Trump’s responses to a wide range of issues are quite immature and irrational. His responses to protesters at his rally, his late night tweets, and his attacks on people who disagree with him are reactive, unpredictable and vindictive.

I’m scared of somebody like this being the Commander In Chief of the United States Armed Forces and having to make decisions that affect millions of other people.

5. The people surrounding Trump

The machinery of politics prevented Obama from living up to many people’s expectations when he became president. It’s possible the same will be the case with Trump, but when I look at the people surrounding him, I’m far from confident.

2 Responses to Five things that scare me about Trump as president

Can’t hit like, but a sound summary of the more egregious of his limitations, especially on the world stage. Health, especially women’s health, education and race-relations would also loom large for many actually in the US.

Welcome to Sustaining Community

Families, community engagement and environmental sustainability – for parents, students, practitioners and anyone who wants to make a difference. By Graeme Stuart from the Family Action Centre at the University of Newcastle. The views are my own.